Reds InsiderFrom news of the day to news of the weird, John Fay provides a glimpse of what it’s like to cover the Cincinnati Reds

John Fay has been the Reds beat writer for the Enquirer since 2001. Prior to that, he served in a variety of roles for the Enquirer: backup Reds writer, UC beat writer, backup Bengals writer and as a general assignment reporter. He is a Cincinnati native and a graduate of Elder High School and the University of Dayton.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Off-day offering

I've been working on my story for tomorrow's paper I while wait for my flight in the Pittsburgh airport. Free wireless, by the way, which is mark of a good airport.

Anyway, the theme of the off-day analysis is this: The debacles like the one in Pittsburgh this weekend happen. It's early, so you can't make too much of any three games. But the series pointed to a major flaw in this team. This team, like last year's, can't beat left-handers. Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny held the Reds to a total of one runs in two starts. That ain't good. Last year's team was 23-36 against lefty starters. That ain't good, either.

It is early, to early in fact to press the panic button. However one thing the Reds are missing is the power bat coming from the right side of the plate. Double E was supposed to fill that void, and yes again it's early but until he starts to fill those shoes the Reds are going to continue to struggle with a left handed heavy lineup. Either the reds need to make a move (I.E. Jolbert Cabrera - .407 with .593 slugging % in triple A) or pray that EE gets rollin, I'd be in favor of making a roster switch for the time being.

I'm not sure sending EE to Louisville and calling up Cabrera is the answer. It doesn't seem to me that a 35 year old career .258 hitter is going to solve our problems. Why not keep EE up, and actually try starting a few lefties against the lefties. I'd rather have Dunn, Griffey, and Votto than Hopper, Freel, and Castro anyday. Too much is made of the righty/lefty thing, and clearly our right handed hitters are innefective against lefties.

Going out there with these insane right-handed bat lineups bereft of all power is only enforcing to our guys the notion that we can't hit lefties. we need to stop giving up before the game even starts. If our best lineup has some left-handed hitters in there, trot it out every day and let the pitcher actually do his job to get the outs. the Reds (read: Dusty) are over-simplifying by viewing all lefties and all righties as essentially equal, which is obviously not the case. Paul Maholm is probably not as effective against left handed bats as is Johan Santana, but to Dusty, they get the same treatment.

First - Stop substituting your best LH hitters with your worst RH hitters (Juan Castro). Hitters like Votto need the experience now against lefties, to be ready for key situations against lefties later in the year. Besides, even if Votto has averaged hitting .250 against lefties over his career, it's probably better than Juan (0 for 10) Castro.

2nd - Send Edwin to AAA for a few weeks just like last year. He is hitting in too crucial of a spot in the order to be allowed to continue struggling like he is. Again, I would rather have Freel at 3rd right now and Dunn or Griffey in the outfield facing the lefty than Edwin while he's struggling so much. Edwin just needs a few weeks in AAA to bounce back.

3rd - Why does Bako keep catching against lefties? Isn't he a lefty? Let switch-hitting Valentine catch. I believe Valentive did pretty good against lefties last year.

4th - This isn't about lefties, but why in the world would Dusty continue to start Castro unless Kepp needed a day off. This makes zero sense.

Geoff, I get your point, Cabrera hasn't exactly torn it up over his career. However if you have watched the Reds this year, its obvious Freel and Castro are not and never going to be everyday players, excellent role players but nothing more than that, so sticking with them will only allow the Reds to continue leaving 25 + runners on base over a 3 game span. I also agree with you that the whole lefty/righty things is over blown, but there is some logic to it, a right hander sees the ball better than a left hander does when coming from a left handed pitcher. Bringing in a right handed bat with the ability to hit the long ball brings a balance to the Reds lineup that is host to a multitude of lefties, who for the most part rely on the longball- and at this point the longball is nonexsistant for the Reds. Sending EE is the minors is not giving up on him, but allowing him to get it together with less pressure. If you have followed the Reds over the years its seems as though every year he gets sent down and comes back to provide a spark for the Reds. We also have to consider think about how long we are going to stick with him, at the age of 25 he is yet to tap into his potential , how long is to long? Plus with Gonzo coming back wouldn't you rather have Kepp and Gonzo at SS and 3B?

Giving more players consistent AB's would be a nice change. Joey Votto went 3-4 and was seeing the ball well on Saturday. So what does Baker do? Sits him so now he has two days off. Its difficult for a young player to get in a groove without consistent AB's. Patience is the other thing. It's early in the season and this lineup is due to get going soon. No offense to Colbert but Edwin ripped AAA pitching in a similar fashion last season. These guys just need to keep going up there. They will get going. The hope is that it is sooner rather than later so they aren't too many games out.

When you're big sticks are mostly left handed hitters, (Dunn, Griffey, Votto/Hatty) and not hitting, you're not going to have much success. If righties, Phillips and EE also slump, you're in trouble. The only person I have any faith in now is Keppinger.

i really dont think eddie e is going to cut it, he is suppose to be our big left handed power hitter, and isnt fulfilling his role, he needs to be traded for a RH power hitter or sent down. (I'd rather just trade him as it seems this is going to be an every year show for eddie e)

I think Dusty has been overplaying match-ups thus far. Leave our mashers (Dunn, Griff, Votto) in against lefties and put Freel or Hopper in instead of Patterson. It's hard to watch Dunn struggle but he'll come out of it. He always does. We should release Juan Castro and bring up Hairston. Castro has a good glove but that doesn't really matter when coupled with the twig he brings to the plate. I thought Hairston was just an experimental signing and a waste of time but he's crushing the ball down there. Bring him up and see if it's infectious.

I don't think this team can be fixed. It needs to be BLOWN UP! Too many weaknesses.

Cueto, Volquez and Cordero are major improvements, but they can't hit or play much defense.

The Amazing Krivsky has not addressed the flaws with the starting eight since he has been here, except for overpaying for a SS who never plays for whatever reasons, trading away a good RH hitting outfielder for nothing and signing a catcher who can't hit his weight to a big contract. I almost forgot our $4 mil pinch runner.

Not sure what to do about the team right now. Move EE down in the order to take some pressure off him. It's too soon to send him down. If he doesn't get it together Keppinger takes his playing time when Gonzalez gets back.

I think Votto is suspect defensively and that he is the eventual replacement to Adam Dunn. I find Dunn's performance to be the most disappointing. He's in a contract year and is hitting .167 and .091 RISP. For his career he is .221 with RISP. Why hit him fifth?

And this team had the same exact problem with left-handers last year so this isn't hitting the panic button. We have a relatively large sample size. The Reds may want to try trading a left handed bat for a right-handed version (difficult).

Bob, How can you say put freel and hopper in for Patterson. If you have been watching Patterson has been playing extremely well this year and there is no reason he should not be playing unless he shows signs of decline. Again freel and hopper are great bench players and can provide a spark at any moment in the game, but we saw it last year they are not everyday players not matter how much we like them. Patterson is in CF until he proves unworthy, I agree leave votto, Dunn and Grif in the lineup

Castro, Hopper, Freel, you can use one of them but not all three. Two need to go. If Freel can't be traded then keep him and launch the other two. He will at least get an occasional two bagger. The other two can't hit the ball out of the infield. Cabrera, Hairston, and A. Phillips are all probably more serviceable than Castro and Hopper.

EE needs a couple weeks at AAA to get his head on straight, or even trade him if possible.

Coffey is an accident looking for a place to happen. I believe his problem is between the ears. He needs to follow MS.

Dunn and Griffey need to understand that pulling every pitch is not a good solution. Otherwise show them the door.

I agree that sending EE down wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, especially if it kept Kepp in the lineup when Gonzo returns. He always comes back stronger, and if it was short term that'd be fine. I guess my main point was that we need to try letting the big bats hit, even against lefties. Especially Votto. He needs to be hitting everyday, and I'd take him over Castro against ANY pitcher. By the way CSA, you really think the team needs to be blown up? You clearly didn't watch this team the couple of years before Krivsky got here......painful.

Sadly what we need to do is hold pat until Griffey hits 600. Any thought of the Reds moving Griffey prior to then is crazy, as they will not give up the press or the gate during his run. Once he hits 600, move him back to Seattle in exchage for Kenji Johjima. KJ while not a huge power bat does have nice pop, to go along with a good average. Bruce comes up to play right, and you move Edwin down in the line up. The Reds can then release/trade Ross and either Valentin or Bako (I would keep Bako). So the line up would be Patterson, Keppenger, Phillips, Dunn, Johjima, Bruce, Encarnacion, Votto. Now that is a lineup that is both evenly balanced and powerful.

Geoff, Well said, taking the big guys out of the lineup doesn't really make a whole lot of sense to me. CSA really? why and how do you propose "blowing up" the reds. It seems to me that they are on the right track to make themselves a respectable team. Please explain to me, and please use common sense in the explanation of how you would blow the team up.... doesn't make a whole lot of sense

You all need to realize that this is not a cold weather team. How many games have they played in about 50 degrees, and not pouring down rain. I bet they won most of them. I too think Edwin needs to be sent down untill he can find his groove. Let the weather warm up and clear out abit before you start mocking players of their talent. Do you think it's easy to go the opposite way with a 92 mph fastball in a rainstorm. You just see the ball and swing. The breaks haven't been happening offensively yet, but they will come. Starting pitching has been above average, and the end of the pen has been great as well. Forecast calls for sunny and mild tuesday and wednesday in chicago. Lets see how well they play, and i bet it's not because of they day off.

Reasoning:See if we can bring Encarcion out of his funk or long slumps and increase his OBP.

Take advantage of Dunn’s walks and OBP during the second inning by making him the leadoff or number two batter in that inning.

Try to compel Phillips to be a more disciplined hitter increasing his OBP.

Against left handed pitchers the loading the front end with right hander’s could produce enough runs to pick up some wins against them assuming the Reds starting pitching holds up in the low scoring games.

Keppinger, Phillips and Encarcion could combine to carry a team in lower scoring affairs.

Take away or reduce the scoring dependency on Dunn and Griffey and shift the burden to the other six batters.

Spread out the struggling outs to reduce the LOB or leaving runners in scoring position on base.

While increasing the potential of the lower half of the order so that the aggregate of the offense is not so dependent on the first four batters.

Leave the left handed batters in the lineup to give them more exposure to the left handed pitchers so they can eventually make hitting adjustments.

When did major league left handed hitters stop being able to hit major league left handed pitchers? Seriously, this is ridiculous. They simply can't hit or don't put the time in against left handers in batting practice. Do the Reds even take BP from a left hander?

Also, I do not buy into the excuse it's early. Getting swept by the lowly Pirates is one thing but doing it the way the Reds just did reafirms my position that this club still has major issues which it has not addressed. Keep doing what they are doing and this team will be 10 games out by the end of June.

CSA - For as many comments as you make on this board, not many of them are making much sense...Number 1) "A SS that doesn't play for whatever reasons" - well last year he didn't play due to the illness of his young child, and this year an actual knee injury... that aren't exactly whatever reasons, he isnt taking time off to play golf he was looking after his familyNumber 2) Blown Up? we lost three straight games, find me a team that doesn't lose three straight games in a seasonNumber 3)A good hitting right fielder? Player A is hitting 238 with 0 home runs and 5 RBI this season, player 2 is hitting 179 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI - player 2 is EE and player 1? well he's that Good Hitting Right Fielder you are so upset that we traded away... Seems if he were still here you would be all over him as wellNumber 4) Wayne hasn't done anything for the starting 8? BP at 2nd, Patterson in CF, Kepp at SS/3B/1B/OF, Retained Dunn, Hatteburg... 5 out of 8 starters - not too shabby in my eyes...Can everyone please get off of Bako already... sure his track record shows he isn't a solid hitter, but the guy is contributing right now... and as most of the posts show it about what have you done for me lately

Maybe a change in the batting order rather than a line-up change would work better against lefties.There are Reds who fared well against lefties in 07. Hopper hit .351 in 111 ABs, Keppinger hit .362 in 69 ABs, Phillips hit.341 in 208, EE hit .284 in 155 ABs and Vallentin hit .290 in just 31 ABs.

I'm not sure what Patterson hit against lefties in his past, but if his numbers are better than Dunn's or Jr's, play him in one or the other's place against lefties.

Some of you will laugh and I am glad I gave you something to smile about today. Put aside the big power, salary or ego and make a good argument for hitting Dunn or Jr. in run producing slots against lefties. I cannot!

After going 23-36 and getting of the start they have against lefties, what is to lose?

It's way to early in the season to be panic,but there should be some concern.The reds started of good last season,then when Philly came to town the whole thing backfired on them.Mainly, it was Bullpen struggles but the hitting with RISP was an issue last season too.I agree there needs to more urgency to fix the problem's that are holding this club back.

Last season they sat around on their hands until it was to late to fix anything.I would hate to see that happen again.

I really think WK gets fired,maybe even mid season if things do not shape up.Walt is in the wings,Wayne.Get this ship on track or get out from behind the steering wheel & let someone else who knows what they are doing drive.

Why did Krivsky cut Cantu loose? Not trying to fuel my argument with that one. I would just like to hear a reasonable explanation on that one.

Money. There's your explanation. Cantu would be owed a significant increase in pay if he were signed by the Reds in the offseason. When I am saying significant, I am talking about going from about $500,000 to about $3 mill or so. Cantu is good, but is he worth 6x the amount of what he was getting paid 8 months earlier? That's the question you need to ask yourself.

Here's what needs to happen...

The Reds are lacking some right handed power.

Castro seriously needs to be released and send down Norris Hopper. Sure, Hopper is a good bunter, but is that all we have him for?

Bring up Andy Phillips and Jolbert Cabrera. That gives us two righties with a decent amount of pop off the bench or for spot starts against lefties. However, Votto and Hatteberg still need to play against lefties. They're not going to get any better against them if they sit the bench against them all the time.

I am not saying this will solve ALL the problems, but it definitely isn't going to hurt, and can address the right handed hitter issue we have right now.

Also, I do not buy into the excuse it's early. Getting swept by the lowly Pirates is one thing but doing it the way the Reds just did reafirms my position that this club still has major issues which it has not addressed. Keep doing what they are doing and this team will be 10 games out by the end of June.

You should buy into it. 13 games is very early in the season. How is it not? How can you base an entire season on 13 games?

No one's making excuses, but you. You're making excuses for yourself to believe that the Reds are a crappy team, and they aren't. Just looking at your posting name...that says it all!

If there were a mutually fair trade to have been made for Freel or Hopper out there, I suspect it would have been made by now. I doubt there is much interest in Castro considering his salary and defensive specialty. It sure seems to me the Reds are over redundant with Hopper and Freel, Keppinger and Castro. Something has to give.

First off, if you are going to platoon Votto at 1B, why not with a right handed batter. Andy Phillips is in AAA, give him a shot. As for EE, in the short term let him work it out in Cinci. He still is young and more importantly a right handed bat. I agree with some of the earlier posters, the good lefty batters should be able to hit most of the lefty pitching. Until EE gets going and AGon returns, having both Freel & Hopper in the lineup is not good. AGon gets back maybe Keppinger gets more starts at 1B against lefties. Bottom line, this team needs a solid 280 hitting with 15HR power type of right handed bat. Maybe package Hatteberg and someone for that player? To have a chance they need to at least improve against lefty pitching to a 500 record.

First, last year's 23-36 against lefties isn't good, but neither was their overall record of 72-90, a .444 Wpct. If they would have had 3 more wins vs. lefties last year, say 26-33, that would have been the same as their overall Wpct.

Second, I think the issue is being overmanaged. Castro getting 2 starts in 1 week? And in each Castro start sitting Griffey once and Dunn the other time? Too much is made of the hand the pitcher throws with. Other than the given platoon in CF, let the regular guys play, regardless of the opposing pitcher's throwing arm.

Third, I think this is the kind of run production you get with aggressive "little ball". Sac bunts and productive outs limit the number of runs you score because you give up outs in a not always successful attempt to push 1 run across the plate.

The opportunities are there to score,they just didn't get the job done.Bottomline!

Why is Hopper always bunting?That noise is getting on my nerves.Get rid of em' if he can't hit or get on base without a bunt.That bunt down the 1st base line that popped up to 1st then to 3rd for the double play was horrid.

Coffey & EE, how much time,money, & energy can you keep spending on these two.The experiment is over,get rid of both of em'!!!I was for Coffey making a comeback,but the Come from last season has comeback,his nickname should be Decaf.I'm just tired of watching EE.Bad throw's,bobbling the ball,getting behind in the count,hitting the wrong pitches for outs,shaking his head in frustration, & not getting the job done

This team need's to unload unwanted players either through the waiver wire or a trade.The problem I think that exists for the reds is NOBODY wants what they have,making it hard to make a trade & BC doesn't want to eat any more hefty contracts.

The hitting coach stinks too.That might be one problem to address.I have never liked Jacoby as hitting coach & I think you all can see why.Get a bonafined hitting coach & we might see a change.Other teams make the changes when it matters,not when it's to LATE.(Unlike the reds)

Cincy needs a winner,not another "just hang with em".Thats the thinking that have hurt this franchise in the past.

Dicken...stay with this blog for the full season. I will in turn do the same and if I'm wrong about my feelings towards this team, I will gladly apologize and point out that you by far have more baseball insight and intellect. Fair enough?

Robbie:I have no idea what Cantu is making this season. But if you can pay Ryan Freel $4mil, I would think that you could pay Cantu.

The guys who want to dump Castro are amazing. He is the only guy on the team who can back up Keppinger at SS. Of course he should never play except to spell Kepp but you do have to have a backup SS. Besides The Amazing Krivsky is paying him a million dollars or so.

In my opinion we need to stop micromanaging every single game like it's the entire season. These guys aren't going to hit this poorly all season.

Two Things:1) Griffey is not a three-hole hitter anymore. It's like I'm completely relying on Kepp to drive in the runs because I don't have confidence that Griffey's going to continue a rally. Phillips should be in the three spot. Put Griffey in the 4 and Dunn 5th. I realize that puts lefty back-to-back and maybe that's not a good idea....but historically the three-hole is where your best hitter resides and that's Phillips.

2) Unrelated to hitting....please dump Coffey...or make each opposing team pay the Reds cash each time we put him out there. Surely there's someone else who can avoid giving up 4-runs every appearance.

Frankly..I dont think its any individual player that is causing concern..

This complacency and various inabilities have exsisted for quite some time and to a large extent CSA is correct

The young pitchers are great and are fun to watch..I am pleasantly surprised

But there are core issues on this team. When we are able to plug in other players to take the place of Dunn and Griffey and get rid of Berry and Hatcher, you will see some dramatic changes on this club

And if any of you dont think both Griffey and Dunn contribute to the overall tone and tenor of the way this club plays..you are only kidding yourselves

I like Dusty Baker, he seems focused. I think we will see some improvement in the record this year.

Next year, when the nececessary changes can and will be made, you will see a dramatic improvement

So even though Patterson is only 28 years, there's no way that he's turned the corner and become a better hitter? He hit .313 in the 2nd half of last year. If you watched him when he played for the Cubs, he's obviously improved his eye and shortened his swing.

I have no idea what Cantu is making this season. But if you can pay Ryan Freel $4mil, I would think that you could pay Cantu.

The guys who want to dump Castro are amazing. He is the only guy on the team who can back up Keppinger at SS. Of course he should never play except to spell Kepp but you do have to have a backup SS. Besides The Amazing Krivsky is paying him a million dollars or so.

That's not the point CSA. Ryan Freel was already making $3-4 million. The point was that Jorge Cantu COULD NOT be taken on to the payroll. Ryan Freel's $3-4 million has nothing to do with it because it was done well enough prior to us picking up Cantu (in fact, quite a bit earlier). Would you dump Ryan Freel to take on Jorge Cantu (who's defense is horrid, btw)? Then you're still out of the $3-4 million that you owe Ryan Freel and the guy isn't even playing. I'm not even sure if what you said is logical to the point that I made...

Castro is not a logical choice as an everyday back-up at SS. He has a great glove...everyone knows that. But he is an offensive liability. The guy is a hole in the lineup, and you might has well bat a pitcher for him because that's how bad he is! Who cares if he is paid $1 million? You do realize the league average major league salary is like $3 million, right? Get rid of him!

And Jack, neither you or CSA make a lick of sense! Listen to yourselves! You're saying that the 1st base and 3rd base coaches are the problem of this team? You two are so full of negativity that you have literally flipped your lids!! What the heck does a 1st and 3rd base coach have to do with a lack of offense? No one on this team is hitting the last 5-6 games...not even your boy, Keppinger!

According to you two, everyone on this team sucks and should be canned. Not ONCE...NOT ONCE have I seen either of you back up your half-witted claims with some logical statistical evidence. It's pure opinion, 95% of the time! The other 5% of the time I may agree with you.

Not to mention, every single one of your posts on here are repeats of the previous one. "Keppinger is my boy! He rocks!" "Griffey needs traded." "Griffey needs to retire." "Dunn is terrible." "Dunn is a loaf."

Get with the program boys!! State something factual for once and back it up! How many times do people have to say on this blog that they are sick of the same crap that spews from you two day in and day out?

One of my favorite Jack quotes of all time, "Jeff Keppinger could be the next Cal Ripken, Jr." WOW!! LOL

John needs to seriously bring out the ban-hammer again! Good lord almighty!

A Disgrace, I'm calling for W.K.s resignation !!We keep getting worse the longer this arrogant,incompetent misfit is the G.M. !!Please Bob....we can't stand another day of this bafoon !!WAKE UP CINCY FIRE KRIVSKY

Jack from blue ash writes:"The young pitchers are great and are fun to watch." I have to agree with that and go along with a 10/12 win improvement. The issue of a right handed power hitter is still open but this is the first year I am wanting to buy tickets to see the Reds. I could care less about Dunn and griffey but those two kids look like the future. May be a package of EE,the right handed rock star, and freel can pry some body loose.

A 6-7 start is only a disaster, or cause for feeling a team should be "blown up" if you had an outrageously unrealistic picture of how much this team had improved. What did all of you expect? That the Reds would be 13-0 at this point? 10-3? Three of the first four series that the Reds played were against legitimate division title contenders in Arizona, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee. To have weathered the opening two weeks of the season only one game below .500 is far from a disaster. Sure it sucks to get swept by Pittsburgh! But there will also be a time this year when the Reds sweep a team they probably have no business sweeping. That's how baseball works, especially when you're a team for which finishing around .500 is a legitimate (and likely) goal.

my, my Robbie, The more you write, the more you contradict yourself. Its OK to pay Freel $4mil, yet its unfathomable to pay a right-handed power hitter who could actually help this team. In that case it was pretty stupid of The Amazing Krivsky to trade for Cantu in the first place, wasn't it? ST CSA

I think Al is correct in that 6-7 is not too bad considering the 3 contenders we were up against. It could have been a lot worse I suppose. The sweep in Pittsburgh was a bitter ending to a promising start but I would guess that most people would have "realistically" predicted we would come out exactly at 6-7. Given we have essentially the same line-up we have fielded for roughly two years now . . . what do you expect? We will continue to struggle against LHP as long as we stay with the same line-up (history has shown this). This is not exactly foreign to our competition either and unless we adjust, that will be most teams competitive advantage during the course of the season. We are an "average" team at best in just about every facet of the game. I will, however, remain optimistic that the Reds brass recognizes this fact and tries to address this issue during the course of the season. If not, at least this will be the last year of Griffey, Dunn, EE (I hope), Freel, Hatty and Coffey (to name just a few). Here's to the youth movement!

I didn't read all these, so I don't know if it was said, but as soon as Bruce is ready, Griffey should get traded to the Mariner's, where he wants to finish anyway, and hopefully in exchange for a new catcher!

Anyone who says it's early must not have been here in 99 when 1 extra win in any month would have meant playoffs. It's never early.

Hitting against lefties wasn't the only problem this weekend. They didn't hit right handers either.

The Reds get on base a lot, but as a team do not hit for a high average. Same problem as last year. When they don't homer, they don't score very much. Asking guys who don't typically have a high average to hit for a high average with runners in scoring position is silly. They are what they are.

The solution is a better mix of higher batting averages to go with the walks and homers.

Obviously, the Reds lack team speed which makes it difficult to score runs when they're not hitting the long ball. There are not many guys on this team that can go from 1st to 3rd on a single or 1st to home on a double. It's a little thing that makes a huge difference in close ballgames.

wow... after reading all the comments on here.... 99% of which were ridiculous! ... the best response on here is....A 6-7 start is only a disaster, or cause for feeling a team should be "blown up" if you had an outrageously unrealistic picture of how much this team had improved. What did all of you expect? That the Reds would be 13-0 at this point? 10-3? Three of the first four series that the Reds played were against legitimate division title contenders in Arizona, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee. To have weathered the opening two weeks of the season only one game below .500 is far from a disaster. Sure it sucks to get swept by Pittsburgh! But there will also be a time this year when the Reds sweep a team they probably have no business sweeping. That's how baseball works, especially when you're a team for which finishing around .500 is a legitimate (and likely) goal.

Thank you for pointing this out! the tigers are 2-10... we are 6-7 ... the tigers ares supposed to win the AL Central.. the reds are supposed to be where they are.... why complain.. we are improving, loosing is part of play 162 games.

The question is how do we improve against left handers - the answer is fairly simple:

- Dunn, Griffey and Hatteburg hit .236,.239 and .205, respectively in 2007 against left handers. I imagine this season, they'll fare similarly. No team with their #3 and #5 hitters batting below .240 will win many ballgames.

- On the flipside, Keppinger (.368), Phillips (.341), Hopper (.351), Valentin (.290) and Encarnacion (.284) all had success against lefties in 2007. Again, as Baker has said before, 'look at the back of the baseball card' and you can safely assume that these guys will have some degree of success in '08.

That being said, I believe that Dunn and Griffey are every day players who should be treated as such... but they should be staggered (maybe one hit 4th, one hit 7th?) in the order to avoid two automatic outs in an inning. Hopper (assuming he's on the roster... and I'm not sure at this point that he even should be) and Valentin should platoon at their respective positions to play against every left hander. Phillips, Keppinger and Encarnacion should bat in prime positions (perhaps #2, #3 and #5) to optimize their opportunities. Hatteburg and Freel (2007 against lefties: .143) should never see the field against lefties.

It is hard to believe you people are fans at all....completely clueless...yep, go ahead bat Dunn 7th.....that's a great move....keep ragging on Kriv, Dusty & EE....good luck on your fantasy teams, bet, none of you have even won a league, yet you are soooooo smart......

Give it up this team is on the right track....relax..enjoy life, it ain't all bad....

With Griffey, Dunn and Hatteburg batting 3rd, 5th and 7th (which happens often), you have, against left handers, a .236 average third, a .239 average 5th, and a .205 average 7th.

Think about that - you're all but giving away entire innings with those guys batting there! If the 3-4-5 batters are due, that's two out of three near automatic outs... if the 5-6-7 batters are due, it's the same thing.

Let's take it a step further - there are nine possible combinations of batting order spots due up in an inning (1-2-3, 2-3-4, etc.). If you define 'automatic out' as a sub .240 average, and assuming the pitcher has a sub .240 average, you have at least 3 innings where you have two automatic outs in an inning (3-4-5 spots, 5-6-7 spots, 7-8-9 spots)... and that only assumes that your number eight hitter is better than .240.

That's 1/3 of your possible innings... so, theoretically, you're effectively giving away three out of nine innings in any given ballgame with our current every day batting order.

If you shake up the order and play the guys who historically hit well against lefties, you should have a drastic improvement.

WOW, I've read some decent ideas on here and some not so decent. Here's what I liked:

#1 Get rid of specialist who are short on overall talent. Castro, Hopper, perhaps Valentin also. I know Castro is good defensively...but he can't hit. Hopper is a heck of a bunter... yeehaw so's my grandma and Javy is a good pinch hitter... and we can't use him for fear of eliminating our backup catcher before the end of a game, I mean what if we need him to catch because of an injury - man I'm tired of hearing that one.

#2 Let Votto play and fail on his own against lefthanders. Can he really do worse than the rest of the team?

#3 Replace the guys in item #1 with some additional right-handed options from AAA.

#4 Watch Griffey hit 600, then remind him how much he loved Seattle and send him home. He killed us the 2nd half of last year. He's not doing much this year, I mean it's not BAD like Dunn Bad but when we need only one run, one little hit to get the run in and no-one on the team steps up to produce given all the opportunities we had then you have to point fingers at the superstars of the team for not being leaders and Jr is the superstar isn't he?

#5 GET FASTER - I don't recall reading this but we hit into a LOT of double plays. We also seem to get our fair share of guys thrown out at the plate. Maybe some youthful speed would help out. Double plays are rally killers. Much like our SO's.

I guess that's it. Dunn is really hurting us but we can't replace all of our potential pop or all of our left-handed bats. He needs to turn it back on but I think we keep him.

Unbelieveable. People want Cantu on the team now? Yeah, a guy with a .311 career OBP (makes an out 69% of the time) will really help an offense to drive in runners in scoring position. There's nothing attractive about this guy at this point, that's why he's not on the team. Stop listening to Alan Cutler and do your own math. This is just another guy who needs to homer to drive in runs.

Embellish what you type? Have you gone mad, Jack? Should I answer that question for you?

I just stated about 90% of what your posts here consist of. And quite honestly, you're making this argument worse by the moment.

I have stated repeatedly that I think we have some great young pitching, I love Brandon Phillips, Keppinger and Votto. I think Affeldt is a great addition to this team.

This is the first time I have seen you actually write about a different player besides Jeff Keppinger. You're showing improvement. Keep it up!

The problem with all of your posts though IS NEGATIVITY. After every loss, you are in here stating negative things about this team. It's understandable, though! We all get upset when our team loses, but just because a player performs badly doesn't make him a terrible player.

I know you don't like Griffey and Dunn. You do not need to state that anymore than you already have. But stating stuff like "Griffey should have retired 4 years ago," is not needed. The guy can still produce and drives in almost 100 runs per season at his age. That's hard to replace! It would take 2 Jeff Keppingers to produce those type of runs...we would need ANOTHER Brandon Phillips to give us that type of run support. Think about that for a second!

The problem with the team is systemic..you need to say goodbye to the dinosaurs that dont produce and the staff that has contributed to this complacency.

Read what I wrote earlier, Jack. The problem with you is NOT admitting defeat when presented with statistics. The constant "dinosaur" garbage that you speak of in EVERY SINGLE POST is annoying, quite frankly. If you're referring to Dunn and Griffey (which I am sure you are)...statistics don't lie. Enough said.

Yes, I do feel that both Hatcher and Berry contribute significantly to the complacent attitude. If you dont change the personnel ,,you are gonna get the same results

You still don't see the problem with this comment? This isn't a High School baseball team, Jack, this is the major leagues. First base and third base coaches are there to communicate with the runners, that's it. I haven't seen any flaws in baserunning this season. Heck, the only problems I have seen with baserunning in the past is with Freel getting picked off every now and then.

Billy Hatcher is probably the most upbeat coach we have in the dugout. He's great with the fans and is a genuine person.

Again, you're finding abnormal excuses to make up for inconsistencies in your arguments.

Dicken..I have been one of the more positive bloggers since the season began. I think the team will improve by 8-10 games this year and have stated such repeatedly

Read above. That is just laughable, Jack. You've been banned from here before! I would bet that John can't name off the people he has banned from here on one hand, and you're one of them.

Actually Rob Dicken many have been agreeing with my recent posts.

Correction, they have been agreeing with parts of your posts. Not all of it.

Jack, its not about "some people agreeing with you." It's about you being proven wrong and not admitting to it. It's about your consistent negativity. And it's also about you degrading other posters here for their disagreements with you.

I don't think it's too much to ask of you to just be a decent person when posting here. Is it?

Now quit attacking chatters..go to the games if you can and enjoy the team

A perfect example of what I am talking about.

It wasn't too long ago that you were criticizing people saying that they weren't fans because they didn't live in Cincinnati. Now you're off to blasting people that ACTUALLY live near the city and attend 20-30 games per year!

I am a frequent attendee to Reds games Jack. I go to 1/3 of their home games every year. I go to enjoy the game and be positive about having a winning team. Maybe you should adopt the same practice, eh?

I am normally quick to defend Krivsky. And I think a big part of this issue is the roster he inherited. However, you've got one bench spot left... your choices are Phillips, Green, Castro, Cabrera and Hairston and you pick Castro? Why? I guess only Cabrera and Hairston can play short besides Castro. But still...

And my final thought....

I seem to remember the Reds had a 26-year-old right hander who once drove in 117 runs. He's hitting .265 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI in Florida. Wouldn't Cantu's right handed RBI/power ability be a nice addition off the bench or to platoon?

Such passionate rege and upset fans....and it's only the second week of the year. Getting swept brought up a lot of bad memories of how bad the Reds were last years. 72-90 was a nightmare. No one wants a repeat. And yet this new version of the Reds was equally inept this past weekend to the version we saw last year. And what's scary is that the pitching is vastly better.

CSA, I have to agree with you and Jack about the fundamental flaws on the makeup of this team. Offensively it's a very bad mix. I said last year before the season it was the worst offensive team I've ever seen here. And the 20 of 25 losing streak in May was front loaded with similar lack of clutch hitting as this past weekend. It's still a bad mix, and I blame Krivsky and Baker for not seeing it in spring training.

Part of the problem is Krivsky's bizarre 2 year deals to guys like Cormier, Stanton, Freel, and Ross. He seems obsessed by retreads and lifetime utility guys, as though they will magically change when they put on a Reds uni. It hamstrings the Reds as to who they can keep. I can't stand Freel. The guy can't hit a lick with runners, and his kamikazee play is insanely stupid. Ross looked like a low minors hitter last year, and Castro is also not a major league hitter. Gonzo can field, but is a liftime .250 guy. And yet so many of the experts here keep calling Hopper and Keppinger the utility guys, even when they hit over .300. On other teams guys hitting .300 usually are treated like gold, Here people see them as afterthought. HUH???? DUMB!!!

Play the guys who are hitting. Sit the guys who aren't. Just like Trader Jack did. Go with the hot hand. Move Hattie for a right handed guy if you can. He belongs on a different team. He can hit, but so can Joey. Here's what I think would help fix this team.

1. Stop treating Dunn and Griffey like sacred cows. Bench em when they slump or play bad, just like anybody else. If they mope, suspend em. With these two guys as leaders, the Reds went 72-90. If Dunn slops a play in left, yank him right away. He's leaving anyway, let him play pissed a while. Maybe he'll finally start hustling ALL the time. Send a message to the players that no one gets perferential treatment, and if they don't produce, they sit a while.

2. Bat Hopper and Kepp 1-2. If Pete M were still managing, you can bet he would be doing this. Those guys had astromonical on=base numbers last year. Hopper hit .340 and led the freakin league the last 2 months and no body complains that he doesn't win a starting job. BIZARRE!!!. And Dunn had his best two months RBI-wise cuz those guys were on base all the damn time. YOU HAVE to HAVE TABLE SETTERS, or boom or bust guys like Dunn and Griffey are worthless. Baker and some of the fans' love affair with Patterson is driving me nuts. I like his defense, but other than a few homers. he's lousy at the plate. A lead off guy HAS to get on base for an offense to work. Bat Hopper there till he shows he can't hit for average. His defense was better than average, too.

3. Play Votto everyday, and either trade Hattie, who I like, or get him to learn to pinch hit. Like John said today, these guys are too similar.

4. Get a RH RBI guy like Cantu on the bench. Hell, get Cantu back. He seemed happy here, and showed a lot of promise. He drove in 117 a couple years ago, and he can't help this team?????I still have heard no CREDIBLE explanation as to why the Reds dropped him, he was part of the offensive revival the last 2 months last years. Another Krivsky botch job, which he in his paranoia refuses to explain.

4. Dump Freel and Castro and bring in a better level of bench player. They are worthless offensively. OOOPS...hamstrung by bad contracts again. Also, hunt everywhere for a better catcher, even a guy hitting .240 would be an improvement over Ross.

5. Leave Coffey in the minors all year or cut him, he is a disaster. OOOPS...bad contract once again.

6. Put some pressure on Dusty Baker to win right away, don't cushion him with a long term deal. OOOPS, too late, big contract, so we live with him no matter what, too. Nice job, Krivsky. How come Walter Alston, who's a million times the manager as Baker, managed to live on a year to year setup? So we're paying Baker huge amounts of money to put the same kind of Punch and Judy lineup out there as Narron and McKanin. Except Baker benches the best hitter the last 2 months of the season, Hopper, and puts in another Homer or Out guy, his little buddy in Chicago, who is a utility guy anywhere else. Which is the kind of lineup that can lose three in a row to a bad team like PIttsburgh all year long.

The Reds need guys who hit for average so bad it's unbelievable, .3oo hitters. Dunn is a lifetime .240 hitter as opposed to oh say Bonds or Rodriguez or Jeter, all of whom hit near .300 lifetime. A Homer or Strikeout Guy is only good on a team with lots of for average hitters. And Griffey has gotten so slow, he falls into the same category these days. With thsi personnel, this team struggles to be over .500. Like Jack sez, next year the dinosaurs leave and we get much better.

Pitching is vastly improved. If Reds straighten out their lineup and hit even a little, and pitching holds up, this team could get hot and reel off 9 of 10. Krivsky has made many missteps, but he's also pulled off some deals that work. Until Griffey and Dunn are gone, it will be work to watch this team. Like Jack sez, too many dinosaurs.

Where do you get off at blaming these problems on Griffey? He is a 20 year veteran and has done more for this team on and off the field since Barry Larkin was around. I'm not a Reds fan, i'm a Jr. fan, and i hope he does get traded. Itleast then the team he plays for will appreciate all he can do. I would say about 70% of the posts on here mouth Griffey in one way or another. The guys is a .290 lifetime hitter, with almost 600 hrs, 1700rbi's and has less then 100 errors in over 2000 games played. How could you even want to replace that? You will never see another player in your life put up those type of numbers. I hope he gets traded to the cardinals that way i will have an opportunity to go watch him play more often. I bet your beloved Jay Bruce won't even put up half those stats. Go ahead bash Griffey if you want to, but one day you will look back and be glad you got to witness part of what he has accomplished.

my posts have been extremely benign and perhaps more positive than most in here since the season began..get yourself some specs my friend

Let's look at some quotes from Jack's previous postings...

"and John Fay lectured me on the depth and length of my postings. too funny

you all need just to go to some games and enjoy your team..much too much over analysis"

Seems pretty negative to me! And this is in a thread regarding a game we won against the Brewers recently, nonetheless.

Jack, your way of being positive is ripping on people for being negative about a recent loss or your favorite player: Jeff Keppinger. In going back in looking at all of your posts, you are consistently dogging people for being upset about a loss. There's nothing wrong with being upset about a loss! I told you this before...you get upset right? So why is it wrong for other people to get upset?

It seems to me that you really don't want someone else to have an opinion around here. Negative or Positive, you're ripping into them!

Just quit telling people to go to games because they complain. That makes you look arrogant and makes the comments even more snide.

sorry you dont understand team sports..more importantly..perhaps you would be better served asking yourself how the team has performed over the past few years with Griffey and Dunn..not real good

I don't understand team sports? So far you want to get rid of the biggest run producers on our team and fire the whole front office. Sounds to me that you're quick to frustration and don't understand actual logic of a major league lineup or baseball team!

I seem to remember us having a pretty crappy pitching staff from top to bottom the last 6-8 years or so. But hey...Griffey and Dunn are the problems. Driving in those 100 runs every season...having on-base percentages near .400. To heck with those dinosaurs! LOL

there is a systemic problem with this club..change the personnel that have been part of the problem and you will see a difference.

No. Get players that can work cohesively with each other to win ball games. We continue to hang onto players like Todd Coffey and Gary Majewski, and all it does is hurt the team.

you can quote sports experts, tell us about Gonzos superlative fielding and provide all the individual statistics you want..yet I see one thing..a team that has stunk up the joint for seven years

I would take advice from a sports expert and analyze statistics before I would take word from "JackinBlueAsh" because he "goes to the games" and "watches how the Reds play."

Just quit where you are, man! This is just getting stupid!

you wanted stats..you just got one

rob you spend more time than anyone in here dissing other posters and crying to John Fay

No, I don't. I don't bash any posters here. I will debate with them about certain things, but I don't "diss" them.

Telling posters to "go to the games and quit whining" is bashing them. That's insulting people's intelligences, and most importantly, is not needed.

I think fans need to calm down and remember this is a transition year and remember all of the current Reds in there last year of employment with the team.

Remember this is the last year for Krivsky, Griffey, Dunn, Castro, Hatteberg, Freel. The ownership group made decision when they allowed the trade of Hamilton for Volquez that this year would be a rebuilding year.

I expect big things in 2009 because there is a lot of pressure on Ownership to spend the money they will have available. The ownership group needs to show TRUE Reds fans there serious about winning now that they could have enough pitching to contend. I believe the master plan is to bring Manny Ramirez in to play LF next year and hit cleanup. Having a Hall of Famer still within his prime years batting behind Jay Bruce makes a lot of sense.

One suggestion right now though is if he has options left is to send Adam Dunn down to Louisville for a couple weeks and see if this helps his batting eye and mindsight. The one good thing about Dunn's slow start and Reds awful performance vs lefties is that this will be the DUNNERs last season as a RED. We can be very thankful for that.

Move DUNN to the leadoff spot and drop Patterson down to give Patterson more RBI opportunities. Patterson has delivered some big key hits so far this season see if this can continue with more RBI opportunities. ALso, moving Dunn to lead-off makes so much sense he takes a lot of walks, hits a lot of solo homers and doesn't hit well with runners in scoring position. This could be the ELIXIR that gets the entire lineup going.

I have asked a dozen times on here for an answer to why the Reds traded for Cantu and then gave him away. The Amazing Krivsky struck again

You asketh, and Richie Rich answereth! Good points Richie!

Another point is this...CSA kept mentioning that we're paying Ryan Freel and that we should get rid of Freel to have kept Cantu. You do realize when we trade or release players, we 90% of the time eat those players contracts, right? So, in essence, we should have dumped Freel's $4 million, and have taken up Cantu's $3-4 million so that we can essentially pay $7-8 million for a below average player?

CSA's constant disregard to statistical proof and factual information is almost as worse as Jack's.

You might as well give up the debate, Richie. CSA and Jack are right about everything, even if they may be wrong! Those bullies!!! LOL

my guess is dunn would make it back up. Look him compared to Hamilton. He had twice as many homers, RBI, and runs as Hamilton. Hit better against LHs, had a higher on base and the same slugging. But Hamilton's mantle and dunn's awful?

A reminder to everyone: keep you posts shorter, much shorter -- one screen full.

My guess is that computer fantasy sports is as close as a lot of these experts have ever come to baseball.

Good "guess," but....WRONG-O!! Fantasy sports are based off of statistics and performance.

You are a very simple-minded person if you seriously believe that anyone that studies and analyzes game statistics never goes to a game.

I supposed John Fay doesn't know what he's talking about when he posts statistics on his blogs? Statistics are meaningless, right?

This is the same type of attitude that Jack has and it seriously needs to stop!

Actually Robbie, I would like an intelligent answer from someone who might actually know something about baseball. But thanks anyway.

Your failure to understand statistical information makes this comment look foolish. A person that understands and follows statistical information for the game of baseball doesn't know anything about baseball?

Well, I will be a son-of-a-gun! *slaps knee*

I guess since statistics don't mean anything, all of the managers, GMs, baseball analysts, broadcasters...they pretty much shouldn't have a job right? All of these people use statistics on a normal basis for everything they do involving the game of baseball.

You sir need to get a better grasp on the game and understand that pure opinion and "I think this players sucks/rocks" demeanor doesn't mean jack-squat when proven otherwise with statistics.

Admit you're wrong when proven wrong, and just move on.

John..by the way..you are always rebutting with these superlative stats of players like Dunn, Griffey, Gonzalez..etc

question..why are the Reds so miserable year in..year out with all these statistically wonderful players?

answer: overall team is constructed poorly..very bad chemistry and team leadership

keep your stats John..they are meaningless

Pffffft! Here we go again!!

Where have you been the last 6-8 years? PITCHING!! Our PITCHING has been horrid!

Would you have spent it on pitching? Eric Milton didn't turn out to well (25.5 million). Paul Wilson (11.35 million). Adam Dunn (23.7 million). Carlos Delgado (126 million). Richie Sexson (50 million), i could do this all day. Sice coming to cincy Griffey has played in 856/1310 games, batted .273 has 555 rbi's, 490 runs, slugged .568, belted 196 hr's, and has only commited 29 errors. Thats in 9 years. You people have to realize that you were getting the mature Griffey not the superstar 24 year old we all think of in seattle. I admit that he does make awfull good money, but he's in a money making business. He gives his all every time out.

How can you say his hitting is deteriorating? Are you a pull hitter with 4 players defending the side of the field you are hitting it too? Maybe if the reds had a descent 1-2 combo to be on base he would have more rbi's. Kep is the best player to hit in front of him since Alex back in seattle. 12 million a year seams about the going rate for an average outfielder. Even though Griffey's average defense is better then anyone else's above average game. Has been since day 1. Maybe your the one that is expecting to much out of him. I will allways admire Griffey, but i have learned to deal with the fact he is no longer a 40 hr 120rbi guy. You to will learn to appreciate the level he plays the game when you realize that.

I have tons more to say, but you are either going to get the point or not. Griffey is not the problem, he hits, gets on base, and shags fly balls, what more do you want?

question..why are the Reds so miserable year in..year out with all these statistically wonderful players?

To those who think the recent bad history of this team is the fault of Dunn and Griffey, ask yourself: when was the last time Dunn or Griffey pitched in a game, whether starting or in relief? The team has consistently finished near the bottom of all baseball in pitching during Dunn's & Griffey's time here. Replace Dunn and Griffey on any Reds teams of the past 6 years with any two position players of your choice, and the results would have been NO different.

This blog is a Zoo.What happened to disagreeing & agreeing to disagree?It's all opinions.Bottomline!Stats are stats,the tell only 1/2 the story.But DO show a pattern in a players history giving the fan,broadcaster,news reporter, & team management something to base their decisions off.I still think stats can lie & a baseball manager needs that GUT feeling inside from what he's seeing happen on the ballfield at the present time.

The name calling is getting lame too & I agree with Fay,the posts are getting like cheap novels(That nobody wants to read).

It's baseball, not Life or death surgery!

Teams get swept it happens to the best & worst,moving on now.Let's go get Chicago & shut up those annoying wannabe baseball fans they call cubs fans.

I would like to see what you people call a solid outfielder? You rag on Dunn for missing one every now and then, freel plays all out but yet to you he's not an everyday player? If Griffey isn't solid what the hell have you been watching?

Jack...statistics!! Show me statistics that Griffey and Dunn are bad baseball players. Show me statistics that say they are the cause for continuous losing seasons. Until you can do that, you're basing everything on pure opinion. There's NO BACKUP to that opinion, so therefore it cannot be deemed valid by anyone.

People want factual information and not just some guy making a bold statement. When presidential nominees debate against each other, do they just use opinion to gather people's trust? No, they form opinions and backup those opinions with statistics and factual information.

This is ridiculous! It's seriously like trying to teach logic to an infant!

Jack, please just shut up and let people enjoy themselves here without having to worry about you or CSA constantly bashing them for not agreeing with you. This is getting old!!

Just for once look at Griffey and Dunn's statistical splits on ESPN.com -- If you deny to, then YOU are the fool, Jack. No one else is.

You stick to your statistics. I would prefer to see the Reds win a championship (on the field not fantasy baseball) and I think when Griffey and all of his personal statistics are gone the Reds will have a much better chance. ST CSA

CSA: In addition to the 2 players you give Krivsky credit for, Phillips and Keppinger, you have to at least add Hamilton and Burton. I would add Cordero at a minimum. You can argue every other add, but those three are money.

HUGE Omissions on your part.

And Jack, you have only done this about 37 times refering to Affeldt and Castro. Please heed your own comments "Rob dicken please dont embellish what I type..thats very immature."

Burton wasn't very "swift" last night. But, he's also being used in the wrong role. Pitching the guy 2-3 innings a night is not what made him successful last year. He was successful as a setup man in the 8th inning.

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